Materials Engineering Associate - OCU - Technical - 1st Shift

Job Summary Functions as a Team Laboratory Lead and/or performs analyses, data acquisition and interpretation, technical reporting, and maintenance of Materials Engineering tools and standard and specialized test equipment, while positively impacting the organization’s performance. Actively functions as the team lead for all laboratory work priorities and activities, equipment and instruments calibrations and maintenance, technical reporting and documentation, and interfacing with departmental management, customers, engineers, and other teams. Provides technical expertise and support for planning, scheduling, and testing on specialized analytical instruments and equipment. Utilizes advanced skills and technical expertise to prepare samples and specimens for analyses, perform analyses and data acquisition, provide interpretation of results, and write technical reports. Performs maintenance and calibration checks on specialized analytical instruments and equipment. Actively mentors and trains other technicians in the use of specialized analytical instruments and equipment and test methods. Leads, develops, and applies advanced test methods to improve laboratory capabilities on specialized analytical instruments and equipment. Leads and coordinates the collection, transportation, and documentation of chemical waste disposal. Applies appropriate company and department rules and guidelines to work. Ensures interactions with customers, suppliers, engineers, and other functions; develops and gives technical presentations. Ensures independent decision-making and initiative for needed activities, problem solving, creative technical and analytical work, and hands‑on applications. Ensures maintenance of quality procedures and work instructions. Leads and participates in improvement projects; demonstrates adaptability and responsiveness to changing work needs and willingness to undertake new tasks. Leads and participates in self‑ and team‑audits and associated corrective actions. Performs other miscellaneous duties, as required. Key Responsibilities Plans and schedules testing on specialized analytical equipment. Provides technical expertise and support for specialized analytical equipment. Prepares specimens and performs analysis of typical Cummins parts; provides written results in a technical report format. Performs routine and non‑routine analysis and data acquisition using specialized analytical equipment, which may include scanning electron microscope and associated dispersive x‑ray spectrometers, ultrasound scanning technologies, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, wear testers, x‑ray diffractometer (residual stress, retained austenite, phase analysis), gas chromatograph, ion chromatograph, inductively coupled plasma spectrometer, thermal gravimetric analyzer, differential scanning calorimeter, mass spectrometer, x‑ray spectrometer, ultra sound analyzers, optical imaging equipment, tensile/compression testers, hardness testers, gas flow reactors, spark emission spectrometer, viscometer, rheometer, eddy current flow tester, dye penetrant flaw tester, magnetic particle flaw tester and metallographic equipment. Performs routine maintenance and calibration checks on specialized analytical equipment. Develops and applies test methods to measure physical properties of materials or detect defects in engine components; participates in the development of new and advanced methods to improve laboratory capabilities. Works with outside services and vendors to provide test and analysis capabilities. Trains and leads other technicians in the use of specialized analytical equipment and methods. Understands and applies appropriate Company and department rules and guidelines to work and to systems; participates in the maintenance of quality procedures. Develops and conducts training programs; provides counseling, mentoring, and coaching. Serves as company representatives in various capacities to customers, suppliers, and outside agencies. Interacts effectively with all s of employees throughout the company. Exercises independent decision-making and initiative in determining what needs to be done and planning and implementing the needed activities; performs problem solving, creative technical and analytical work, budget management, and hands‑on applications; coordinates programs including planning, scheduling, ordering, and tracking. Demonstrates adaptability and responsiveness to changing work needs and willingness to undertake new tasks as they become evident; initiates, develops, leads, and participates in improvement projects. Knows and complies with all safety policies and procedures. Demonstrates confidentiality as required. Shares work with exempt and other OCU employees as required. Manages own work and maintain a flexible schedule in order to meet the demands of priority work; participates in self‑ and team‑audits and associated corrective action; plans and engages in continuous learning in order to be prepared for changing work demands. Travels as required by the position. Performs other miscellaneous duties, as required, to get the job done. Competencies Data Acquisition – Prepares samples, verifies equipment calibration and performs tests according to an approved standard procedure or work instruction in a manner which ensures, and results in, data that can be trusted and delivered to the engineer or customer. Data Reporting – Prepares documentation in a manner which clearly organizes and presents testing methods, instrument settings, the data and analysis to allow the engineer and customer to understand the results and form accurate conclusions and recommendations. Material Characterization – Interprets mechanical, chemical, microstructural and physical properties using laboratory equipment to confirm compliance to print, and correlates these properties with field or component test results to determine robustness; defines appropriate material characterization schedule using correct laboratory equipment to ensure requirements are met. Collaborates – Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives. Communicates effectively – Developing and delivering multi‑mode communications that convey a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. Customer focus – Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer‑centric solutions. Decision quality – Making good and timely decisions that keep the organization moving forward. Ensures accountability – Holding self and others accountable to meet commitments. Nimble learning – Actively learning through experimentation when tackling new problems, using both successes and failures as learning fodder. Values differences – Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization. Education, Licenses, Certifications High school diploma, GED or equivalent required with Department of Labor Certification OR Associates degree from an accredited program in a related field and at least two years of relevant experience OR Bachelors degree in a related field. Experience Department of Labor Certification OR four year experience/education requirement accomplished through either Bachelors degree in related field OR associates degree in related field and at least two years of relevant experience. Day‑to‑Day Responsibilities Communicate with lab manager, lead engineer, customer and conduct appropriate non‑destructive inspection in the lab. Work with the lab onsite to develop/optimize the inspection technique, support post‑inspection analysis and interpretation, may support the summary, report and recommendation based on the inspection findings. Support and help manage basic lab operation activities, such as lab measures, work priorities, cross‑charge, capitals, HSE etc. Support and develop training materials for lab‑based equipment. Preferred skillsets on non‑destructive inspection modalities: radiography testing including 2d, 3d, live X‑ray inspection & volumegraphic post‑processing, ultrasonic testing of a‑scan, c‑scan & PAUT, electromagnetic testing of eddy current & barkhausen noise analysis, residual stress & retained austenite measurements by x‑ray diffraction. Preferred skillsets on other methods as well as failure analysis: magnetic particle inspection, penetrant testing, visual inspection, metallurgical inspections like hardness, chemistry, tensile test, microstructure analysis etc. This is an onsite role located in Columbus, IN. Cummins is an equal opportunity employer. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, sex, color, disability, national origin, age, religion, union affiliation, sexual orientation, veteran status, citizenship, gender identity, or other status protected by law. #J-18808-Ljbffr Cummins